Town of Howard candidate: Vernon J. Schindler

COLFAX  —  All together, six candidates for three positions were nominated at the caucus for the Town of Howard on January 24 to appear on the ballot in the April 7 election.

Vernon J. Schindler, incumbent, was nominated for chair of the town board, and Jeff Bennesch also was nominated for chair.

Incumbent supervisors Tom Zwiefelhofer and Dennis Dvorcek were nominated, along with Christian Rushmann and Todd Wanish.

Vernon Schindler, 72, lives on 100th Avenue in the Town of Howard. His family includes his wife, Mary B., and three grown children. Schindler describes himself as semi-retired.

The Colfax Messenger sent out questionnaires to the candidates.

Here are Schindler’s answers to the questions.

• Where have you lived other than the Town of Howard (if anywhere else)?

Town of Howard only!

• What is your educational background?

Eight grades at St. John’s school, two years at Bloomer High School and two years at Colfax High School. The consolidation in 1958 is why some high school was in Bloomer and some in Colfax.

• Why did you decide to run for the Howard Town Board?

Incumbent with approximately 20 terms.

• What about your background makes you particularly suited to serve on the town board?

Being on the town board so long, I know the roads like the back of my hand. Regarding revenue, the state has the budget froze at 1.5 percent. That does not give you much room for revenue increases.

• What do you believe to be the biggest challenges or issues for the Town of Howard?

The biggest is to protect the residents of the Town of Howard, health, welfare and safety of the town residents. Water quality, roads, revenue and property taxes. For non-metallic mining, we have one of the best ordinances in the state. We set the standards for non-metallic mining. A lot of towns tailored their ordinances with Howard!

• Why are you the best candidate for chair of the Howard Town Board?

Background, experience, common sense, and honesty is the best policy.